permanent 100% disability

[john's wife]

Hi all --
John got his letter today. Can anyone explain to me why/how it's a 'combined rating' for 100%?

Is it worth it for me to appeal any of these decisions?? John can't get higher than 100%??

"We assigned a permanent 100% disability evaluation for your service connected disabilities effective November 30, 2009."
"We granted basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance, established November 30, 2009."
"...overall combined rating is 100%."

Peripheral Neuropathy, right upper extremity 50% rationale--levels of DDT found in water which has a direct link of having side effects of
peripheral neuropathy
Depressive disorder, 50% (secondary to PN)
PN, left upper extremity 40%
PN, left lower extremity 30%
PN, right lower extremity 30%
Hepatic Steatosis 20% (50/50 probability) caused by or a result of exposure to toxins/waterborne contaminants at Camp LeJeune.
rationale -- you have had exposure to contaminants that are known hepatoxins and are known to cause hepatic steatosis.

Chronic Fatigue Sydrome DENIED rationale--this condition has not yet been identified in all of the current research regarding side effects form the contaminated water through Camp Lejeune.
Double vision DENIED rationale--this condition has not yet been identified in all of the current research regarding side effects form the contaminated water through Camp Lejeune.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for everyone's support and input. It's been a long haul. We've still got a long road ahead of us, but at least now I can take a deep breath and not work so hard to keep food on the table.

Jim Fontella--you are the best!! Without your long telephone calls and endless e-mails, I could NOT have ever put together such a supporting claim - Thank you!!

If I can offer any guidance/help/support to anyone here...please feel free to reach out; as this site is what kept our fight going.

LeeAnn
John's wife...
...from Massachusetts

[JME]

Yes, he can get an even higher percentage if he is considered home bound...Jerry

[john's wife]

Thank you Jerry, for clarifying that.
They did address that in this letter; stating "..although you require help in getting dressed and eating, the evidence does not support that you are so helpless (due to service connected disabilities) as to be permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance..."
LeeAnn

[nanebrown]

Can anyone explain to me why/how it's a 'combined rating' for 100%?

Is it worth it for me to appeal any of these decisions?? John can't get higher than 100%??

Peripheral Neuropathy, right upper extremity 50% rationale--levels of DDT found in water which has a direct link of having side effects of
peripheral neuropathy
Depressive disorder, 50% (secondary to PN)
PN, left upper extremity 40%
PN, left lower extremity 30%
PN, right lower extremity 30%
Hepatic Steatosis 20% (50/50 probability) caused by or a result of exposure to toxins/waterborne contaminants at Camp LeJeune. rationale -- you have had exposure to contaminants that are known hepatoxins and are known to cause hepatic steatosis.

No, it is not worth appealing for anything more. When you appeal, they can actually look at things more critically and you'd risk them possibly adjusting/lowering the percentage that John already has. Besides, the highest SC percentage is 100%.
If John were to be granted a disability for the blurry vision and chronic fatigue syndrome, it would not change the disability award amount that he just received. Being a 100% SC Vet, John is eligible for VA care for just about everything that he needs, including for his vision, chronic fatigue, etc.

The reason it does not add up (50% + 40% + 30% +30 % + 20%) to 100% is something called "stacking", whereas some of the disabilities overlap and some are rated the same, so all or part of the % of each condition may not be added in to the grand total.

John should get some extra money figured into the monthly allotment for having a spouse.

Overall, this is very good news for John!
Wish him well!!!
Nancy

[john's wife]

Thank you Nancy!
It gets so overwhelming. I don't know why people say "you can get more". I hope John is NEVER considered 'homebound'--because that will mean he's sicker than he is today.
I appreciate everyone's guidance; and aggreed, that I don't want to rock the boat by appealing things that wont make a difference anyway.
I can not express how thankful I am for this website. I only hope I can recipricate what I have for information/knowledge based on John's experience.
I anxiously anticipate the next award posting -- small victories add up to big victories!
LeeAnn

[Dan1971]

LeeAnn, Not sure if you know this, up here in Mass you will get a nice discount to your property taxes if you own a home.
Take your award to your town hall tax office and apply for the Exemption.

Link... http://www.sec.state.ma.us/CIS/cisvet/vetprptax.htm
"M.G.L. ch. 59, s.5, clause 22E
Clause 22nd E allows for $1,000.00 for veterans that are 100% disabled by the VA."

Thanks for showing the rating letter to us, very helpful! Dan

[john's wife]

Thank you Dan...I was aware of 'some' benefit, but I wasn't sure of the details.
I am going to ask about exemption of excise tax on John's vehicle and I believe he can get a VA Disabled plate at no cost.

In researching benefits, I also found:
State of Massachusetts Annuity for 100% Disabled Veterans
It pays an annual $2,000 (split in two payments)
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 115, Section 6A,6B and 6C.
I sent in my application today!!

LeeAnn

[imbroken]

LeeAnn,
My name is Andrew Zelenski, I also have peripheral neuropathy, I have submitted nexus for this from a VA doctor as well as one from an outside doctor. We are currently under appeal and are awaiting a supplemental statement of the case from the DRO. How long did it take for Jon to recieve his award? If there is anything you could do to assist me in this it would be appreciated.

Andy

[john's wife]

Andy,
I would be more than happy to try to assist you. I will share any and all documents that I have. I sent you a message with my phone number, feel free to call me anytime.
We filed November 2009 -- had first C&P in Sept2010, second C&P in Nov2010. They then sent John for a skin/nerve biopsy to confirm that it was small fiber neuropathy in Dec2010--follow up C&P in Jan2011. Then John's file got lost in Boston, MA. We didn't actually discover this until Aug2011-- which I went bonkers on -- and our Senator and Congress office helped get the file to Louisville, KY.
Once the file hit Louisville...they sent John for two additional C&P exams in October2011. Then an additional four C&P exams in December2011. We got word of John's award in January 2012.
Please, call me, I would love to hear about medications and the like that you take, maybe your docs know something that will help John's pain and/or vice versa.
LeeAnn

[DocFMF]

Please contact me about the justification you used for the Hepatic Steatosis. I am in a similar boat and am in dire need to know how I need to file for it.

Thank you

DocFMF

[john's wife]

Hi Doc,
I just responded to your email. I'd be more than happy to share what I have.
John's Wife

[DocFMF]

I received your email and responded in kind.

Thank you

Doc FMF